How to Make Homemade Laundry Detergent With Washing Soda & Borax

Jenny Harrington

About the Author:

Jenny Harrington

Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening.

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Homemade laundry detergent provides all the cleaning power of commercial brands but at a fraction of the cost. Depending on the prices in your area, homemade laundry soap cost as little as 1 cent a load. Washing soda and borax provide most of the cleaning power to the recipe. Both are available in large containers where laundry detergents are sold. Each batch of homemade detergent provides enough to last for approximately 66 loads of laundry.

Things You'll Need

Bar soap

Cheese grater

Pot

Borax

Washing soda

Measuring cups

Bucket

Paint stirrer

Step 1

Grate a bar of unscented, gentle soap with a cheese grater. Place the grated soap flakes into a large cooking pot.

Step 2

Pour 6 cups of water into the pot. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the soap flakes melt.

Step 3

Add ½ cup washing soda and ½ cup borax to the melted soap mixture. Stir until they dissolve and the mixture is thoroughly combined.

Step 4

Place 4 cups of hot water in a 5-gallon bucket. Pour the soap mixture into the bucket and stir with a paint stirring stick. Pour an additional 1 gallon and 6 cups water into the bucket, continuing to stir the mixture.

Step 5

Put the lid on the bucket. Leave it to sit for 24 hours before using so that the mixture cools and begins to gel. Use a half cup of the laundry soap per load of clothing.

Tip

Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil if you prefer your detergent to have scent.

The laundry soap may separate between uses. Stir it to recombine before doing your laundry.

Use ¼ cup of vinegar during the first rinse cycle on your machine instead of purchased laundry softener. The vinegar works well in conjunction with homemade detergent.

Warning

Do not substitute baking soda, as it isn't the same substance as washing soda.